Dr. Sasha Dukan
Office: JR111
phone: 410-337-6323
e-mail: sdukan@goucher.edu
Office Hours M 10:30-11:30am, W: 9:30-10:30am and F: 11:30-12:30 am and by an appointment. Please respect this schedule and make an appointment to see me at other times.

Statistical Physics and Thermodynamics is a course designed for physics majors and minors and upper-level chemistry majors. Statistical Physics (together with the Quantum Physics) is one of the fundamental disciplines on which modern physics research (in condensed matter physics, nuclear physics, astrophysics, biophysics, physical chemistry, materials science and engineering) relies. This course is devoted to the discussions of some of the basic physical concepts and methods appropriate for description of the systems involving very many particles (gases, liquids, crystals). It is intended, in particular, to present thermodynamics and statistical physics from unified and modern point of view.

·Lectures

Substantial amount of time will be devoted to the problem solving sessions and discussions. Students will be asked to present on various topics during a course of the semester. Occasionally, computer simulations will be used to aid in understanding of concepts.

·Instructional Methods

Students have an opportunity to learn in depth the undergraduate-level quantum mechanics from a variety of sources during the semester, including:

ŽAssigned textbook readings

ŽClassroom lectures and discussions

ŽOccasional computer demonstrations and simulations

ŽHomework assignments and GoucherLearn presentation of solutions

ŽIn-class problem solving exercises

ŽComputational problems and projects

ŽTake-home tests

ŽDiscussions with me outside of the class

Classroom time will be mostly centered around the discussions and student participation is required.

·Responsibilities of Students

In order to get the most out of this course:

ŽAttend each class, arrive on time and come prepared . Read an assigned sections of the textbook before coming to the class to familiarize yourself with notation and topic. Read the relevant section of the textbook with comprehension before attempting to solve homework problems.

ŽParticipate in class by paying close attention to what is presented and offering suggestions or corrections when you think something that is presented is incorrect or confusing.

ŽWork on and try to complete all homework problems on time. You are encouraged to discuss problems with your peers but, if at all possible, complete these problems without assistance from anyone else. This way you will truly understand the problem and will be prepared for the exams.

ŽRead the homework solutions and use the opportunity to improve your homework grade by presenting a correct solution orally.

ŽMake your work neat and carefully organized. If I can’t follow your solution then you will not receive a full credit.

ŽCome talk to me outside of the class frequently. Asking for help or hints with solving problems, or asking for clarification of the lectures or the textbook demonstrates your interest in the subject.

·Homework

Homework assignment of about ten problems will be assigned every Wednesday and will be due at the beginning of a class following Wednesday. All the work has to be done analytically except for the problems marked with words “use MatLab”. Otherwise, MatLab/Mathematica/Maple/Wolfram Alpha or any other symbolic/numerical software package can be used only to check an analytical solution. No late homework will be acceptedunless a student has a documented illness/absence/family crisis. You are encouraged to work on a homework assignment with other students, but this does not mean distributing work load or copying. Main purpose of homework is to give you practice in solving problems and prepare you for exams. Solving problems is the most important part of a learning process in this course. I reserve the right to discuss submitted homework to examine your understanding of solved problems. Use of the solution sets that might be available on internet is not allowed. All students are bound by the standards of the Academic Honor Code and violators will be send to the Honors Board.

Students can improve a homework grade, within one week after the homework solutions have been posted, by demonstrating an understanding of a correct solution on a whiteboard in my office.

·Exams

There will be three take-home exams. Tentative dates which may be adjusted according to rate at which material is being covered are listed in the class schedule. Exams will handed out on Fridays and will be due on Wednesdays a following week. You are allowed to use the textbook, your class-notes and the homework solutions only . You are not allowed to use any other material or discuss exams with anyone except your instructor. I reserve right to discuss your exam with you to examine your understanding of solved problems.

·Final Project

Your final project should illustrate experimental applications of the concepts discussed in lecture and/or further developments of theoretical ideas introduced. Suggested topics are: